Practice-cartridge



(No Model.)

G. D. R. AIKIN. PRACTICE CARTRIDGE.

No. 539,327. Patented May I4, 1895.

ttor-nay T0 all whom it may concern..-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE DAVED RICE AIKIN, or LoUIsvILLE, KENTUCKY.'

- PRAcTlcE-CARTRID'GE.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,327. dated May 14, 1895.

Application tiled NovemberZZ, 1894. Serial No. 529,609. (No model.)

Be it known that I, GEORGE DAVED RICE AIKIN, a citizen of the United States, and a residentof Louisville, in the county of Jefferson-and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Practice-Cartridges; and I do declare the follow- Ving to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this sp'ecitication.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a central longitudinal section of a cartridge embodying the'invention. Fig. 2 is an ele vation showing the invention applied to a different form ofcartridge. Fig. 3 is a detail of cap-catching device. Fig. 4 is a detail of modified form of cap-catching device.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in practice cartridges, and more especially in the cartridge set forth and claimed in my Patent No. 517,719, dated April 3, 1894, wherein the shell or tube is formed with an internal filling for a portion of its length for the purpose of reducing the depth of the explosion chamber.

The object of the present invention is to provide the shell or tube with means whereby it is better adapted for repeated use, and for' facilitating its repriming or recapping; and the invention consists in tue novel construction and combination of parts all as hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates one of my improved cartridge shells or tubes, having a solid internal portion B extending a portion of its length. The length of this solid portion will vary, it being designed to reduce the depth of the explosion chamber to a greater or less extent, as may be desired adapting such chamber to contain from three fourths to one twentieth of the usual, full charge. a is the 1ongitudinal bore or dash passage, which extends through said solid portion and communicates with the cap or anvil seat. The end portion of the shell is formed with an interior shoulder b, against which the bullet seats, and

forward of which the metal ofthe shell is re duced in thickness, and slitted, as indicated at c. This inl for the purpose of rendering the end portion of the shell more flexible, whereby it is prevented from being sprung outwardly in such a. manner as to injure it for reloading.

Opening into the'base of the shell is a cav. ity or chamber C which surrounds the nipple or c ap seat D.

is for the purpose ot' retaining the cap upon the nipple,and preventing it after tiring, from falling olf into theworks of repeating guns. Said ,device comprises a central portion having therein a socket e which is ot' tapering form, largest at its inner end, and which is designed to fit snugly over the cap. This ber C by means of spring -arms f which are bent t form projections f which, when the device is seated, spring into engagement with an undercut of the base rim. The end por; tions of said arms seat flush or nearly Iiush, upon said rim, which may be slightly recessed to receive them. By pressing these end portions toward each other, the projections f are withdrawn from `their engagement, and the device may be removed.

wall of the chamber C, being arranged to swing outwardly on such pivot away from the cap seat. The opposite side of the device has a spring catch g, similar to the catch f, f', above described. Theuse of this device renders the operation of recapping very easy, no tools being required. It is only necessary to remove the cap catcher and replace the cap. Vith single shot rides it will not, howeverlbe necessary to employ the device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. The combination with a cartridge shell having a cavity or chamber extending into its base and surrounding the cap seat or anvil, of a removable cap-holding, or catching, de- .vice having a socket arranged to fit neatly over the cap, and a spring catch arm or arms adapted when the device is seated to spring into an undercut of the base rim, substantiall y as specified.

socket portion may be secured in the cham Fig. 4 shows another form of the device which is designed to be pivoted in one side E designates a cap-catching device, which IOO t 2. The combination with a cartridge shell having a cavity or chamber C opening into its base, and surrounding thev cap seat or nipple, of the cap-catching device E, consisting of a.

central portion having therein a taperedI socket designed to fit snugly over the cap, and spring arms extending from said central portion and having projections which when thedevice is seated, spring into an undercut of the base rim, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, v GEORGE DAVED RICE AIKIN'. Witnesses:

HENRY CARTER MCKENNEY, WILLIAM DAVID MORGAN. 

